A FORMER West Bromwich landlady has told of her joy after her 24-year-old daughter became engaged to Playboy millionaire Hugh Hefner.

A FORMER West Bromwich landlady has told of her joy after her 24-year-old daughter became engaged to Playboy millionaire Hugh Hefner.

The 84-year-old California Casanova has ‘mother-in-law’s’ blessing from Lee Lovitt, who said she was “proud” to hear Hef and her daughter, Crystal Harris, became engaged on Christmas Eve.

Former West Bromwich schoolgirl-turned model Crystal is reported to have burst into tears before accepting Hef’s offer to become his third wife.

Lee, who used to run Cape Street pub Ye Olde Rose and Crown, wrote on the Twitter website: “I am proud to have Hef as a son-in-law. The engagement was a wonderful surprise and I am very happy for them.

“The news travelled so quickly around the world, amazing. I think they will announce the date soon. Hoping for a wedding soon.”

The family, including dad Ray, lived in West Bromwich for three years until 1991.

“I visit Crystal often at the mansion and Hef is a gracious host. He calls me Goldie as he thinks I look like Goldie Hawn,” added Lee.

“I really like Hef and enjoy my time staying at the mansion. I will be happy to see Crystal and Hef marry – as long as my daughter is happy, then I am happy.”

Crystal and Hef met nearly three years ago at his annual mansion Halloween party. She was modelling at the time and doing a psychology degree, but soon packed in the studies after hitting it off with Hef.

But Crystal and Lee, aged in her fifties, remember their time in Ye Olde Rose and Crown with fondness despite now being in the limelight. “My dad used to perform for the drinkers and I’d sing along with him,” said Crystal.

Lee added: “I loved my time at the pub. It was a friendly pub for locals. We enjoyed the summer months with the beer garden. Crystal’s dad used to sing in the pub and I used to bar-tend and cook.”

But tragedy struck just a year after the family moved to America as Ray died from cancer.

However, Lee remained in the States, and today runs her own real estate business in San Diego.